The Bishop William Burt Collection is an excellent documentary on the life and work of a pioneer minister within the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this collection we see the pathos and commitment Burt and his family brought to the work of the church, especially in Europe. These records illuminate his varying roles as clergyperson, presiding elder, bishop, and family member. Well liked by most, Burt was an influential person within the denomination throughout his career.

Records from his wife, Helen, and daughter Edith are located here, as well. The collection shows the historical and sociological involvement Burt had with the life, events, and politics of Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world. This involvement covered society from its lowest common denominator all the way through and including the very top of the social ladder. Burt was a world traveler and the collection sheds light on Methodist Episcopal work around the globe. This is especially true in the correspondence, diaries, and photograph series. Besides reflecting Burt's ministry in Europe, there are significant records concerning his work in the United States. Other notable personalities are also included

Early missionaries to Europe, especially to Russia, have primary documents located here as well. Many of Italy's leading Methodists such as the Taglialatela family have both published and handwritten materials within the collection. Records by other bishops such as Vincent and Bast are interspersed throughout the first section. Another area which is documented is Burt's commitment to the ongoing work of the Jerusalem Home which was started by Bishop J. P. Newman. There is a sizeable amount of records pertaining to the Crandon Institute in Rome, as well.

Quentin Lansman papers includes some of Lansman's notes and drafts for his dissertation at Northwestern University, titled An Historical Study of the Development of Higher Education and Related Theological and Educational Assumptions in the Evangelical United Brethren Church: 1800-1954. Also includes numerous sermon notes from the 1950s and 1960s. Also included are photographs of an Evangelical Church meeting and families in Hagerstown, Maryland, from prior to 1925, possibly before 1920, along with turn of the century post cards from Corydon, Indiana, the original state capital of Indiana. Also includes images of a commemoration service at the grave of early-19th century church figure John G. Pfrimmer (1762-1825). Personnal correspondance of Evangelical Church Rev. Henry Fuessner of Cleveland, Ohio is also included-among them are letters from General Secretary Bishop Sylvanus Charles Breyfogel (1851-1934). The letters range from 1928-1931.

There are numerous records and minutes from the 1960s for the United Campus Christian Fellowship, an ecumenical collegiate organization resulting from the merger of the campus Christian Fellowships of the Disciples of Christ, Evangelical United Brethren, United Church of Christ, and United Presbyterian U.S.A Chuches into a single national organization. At least one chart of its national structure, from its related churches down to college campuses and local congregations, is included. Handouts, reports, policies, and other materials related to Campus Fellowship make up the remainder of the collection. Images of events and student activities in several collegiate Christian fellowships are included, as well as a strategic plan titled "Operation Nehemiah" from the Hillcrest Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, from the late 1950s-early 1960s. A panorama photograph of the 1958 Evangelical United Brethren Student Conference at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, is in a separate box.

The papers contains file folders on various places, organizations, and people Ralph T. Templin associated with during his missions. There are five files while he was at Central State University. Eight files directly related with missionary work in India but there are a number of others also pertaining to the India Missions. Eight files on the Puerto Rican independence nationalist movement which Ralph Templin strongly supported. There are various amounts on information pertaining to the Peacemaker movement and a number of files on personal correspondence. The other folders are manuscripts and published works. Some files contain photographs and newspaper clippings. The last box of the collection contains three large copies of Templin's, "Farewell Address" at Clancey High School. Two of the copies are in English and the final copy is in Sanskrit.

This collection primarily documents the work and ministry of the Evangelical Church's annual conferences and local churches from the middle nineteenth century to the middle twentieth century. To a lesser degree there are records that reflect the ministry of the general church as well. There are other records that pertain to filial denominations such as the Evangelical Association, United Evangelical Church, Church of the United Brethren in Christ (United Brethren Church), and the Evangelical United Brethren Churches are also found in this collection. Leedy was an avid collector of church related information so that the topical landscape of this collection is broad enough to cover information ranging from local church ministries and histories to denominational theological beliefs and social concerns. Most of the paper records center on church work in the Ohio region though not to the exclusion of other geographic areas within the continental United States and Germany. All in all this collection provides a nice overview of the diversified life within the Evangelical tradition and is an excellent resource for those who wish to understand more fully the Evangelical Church's historical influence within the ongoing traditions of United Methodism.